1From John Macpherson to John Adams, 27 December 1791 (Adams Papers)
May it please the honourable Gentlemen of the Senate to peruse the following thoughts dictated by humanity & love of my Country. A few minutes since I told General Knox I wished to be sent against the Indians as soon as possible, & that I knew some of the Senate allso wished it. General Knox replyed then lett them send you I am your friend. Therefore Gentlemen, I hope you will be pleased to...
2From John Macpherson to John Adams, 2 April 1792 (Adams Papers)
The Petition of John Macpherson most respectfully Sheweth That his attachment to and desire to serve this Country has been the cause of his loosing an independent fortune by the Revolution. Therefore he begs liberty to relate the following facts, viz. That he has enriched North America more than any man of his station ever did, as he took more prizes in the French War than any other person...
The Memorial and Petition of Sundry Merchants engaged in Commerce previous to the late Revolution Humbly Sheweth. That your Memorialists chearfully concurred with their Fellow–citizens from the year 1774 in such measures as were deemed necessary to oppose the Claim of Great Britain over America, to Secure its Independence and to Establish the blessings of Liberty and the happiness now enjoyed...
4From Richard O’Brien to John Adams, 12 May 1792 (Adams Papers)
The Humble Petition of us the undersigning Citizens of the united States who are now Languishing prisoners at Algiers— Humbly Sheweth that we youre petitioner’s had the misfortune of being Captured nearly Seven years ago by Cruisers belonging to the Regency of Algiers while we were navigateing Vessels belonging to Citizens of the united States. that we were flattered for a Considerable time...
5From Sc., Merchants of Charleston to John Adams, 1792 (Adams Papers)
The Petition of the Subscribers, Merchants residing in Charleston, in the State of South Carolina, humbly sheweth, That by an act pass’d at the third Session of Congress, to regulate processes, in the Courts of the United States, “It is enacted that the same mode of proceedings shall be had, & the same fees exacted in each State respectively as are now us’d, or allow’d in the supreme courts of...
6From William Moultrie to John Adams, 19 January 1793 (Adams Papers)
The Memorial of the Officers in behalf of themselves and the Non–Commissioned Officers and Privates of the late Army of the United States now Residents in South Carolina,— Sheweth Your Memorialists happy in seeing their Country possessed of Peace, and flourishing under a respectable Constitution, presume to come forward and to lay before your Honorable House, such of their Grievances as can...
The Petition of the Directors of the Library Company of Philadelphia and of the Trustees of the Loganian Library Respectfully Sheweth That annual importations of Books are necessary for the use of the respective institutions committed to their care which by the present revenue Laws of the United States are subject to the same Duties as those imported for sale. That whatever promotes the...
8From Jacob Milligan to John Adams, 13 December 1793 (Adams Papers)
The Petition of Jacob Milligan Sheweth— That at the commencement of Hostilities between Great Britain and America, your Petitioner entered as a Lieutenant on board the Ship Prosper belonging to the State of South Carolina, and continued on board untill ordered to Sullivans Island where he remained during the Seige after which your Petitioner went a Cruizing against the Enemy. That in the year...
9From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, 27 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury to whom was referred the petition of Elisha Bennett, by an order of the Senate of the 20th. of November 1792, thereupon Respectfully Reports That the claim of the Petitioner is one, to the adjustment of which the power of the Treasury is competent. That it has been rejected at the Auditors Office for the following reasons— The only paper in that Office relating to...
10From Alexander Hamilton to John Adams, 27 February 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury to whom was referred by the Senate the petition of Barent I Staats respectfully reports thereupon as follows— The claim of the petitioner appears to be one of those, for the due consideration and adjustment of which, provision is made by the Act passed the 12th. of February 1793 relative to claims against the United States not barred by any act of Limitation, and...
11From Peter Trezevant to John Adams, 3 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
To the Honorable the President & others the Honorable Members of the Senate of the United States in Congress assembled— Charleston So Carolina February 8th: 1794 The Petition of Peter Trezevant of the City of Charleston in the State of South Carolina who has intermarried with Eliza Willoughby Farquhar, the only Child & sole Legatee & Devisee of Robert Farquhar late of Charleston aforesaid...
12From Citizens of South Carolina to John Adams, 24 March 1794 (Adams Papers)
The Memorial of the Subscribers Citizens of the State of South Carolina, Sheweth that your Memorialists feeling the most ardent attachment to the Constitution and laws of their Country, have at all times Chearfully & faithfully contributed their proportion to the exigencies of government as the price of the protection which they have a right to expect from a Conviction that the power of...
At a Meeting of the Commissioners of the Sinking fund, mentioned in the Act making provision for the reduction of the public debt , at the Senate Chamber April 9. 1794.— Present, The Vice-President of the United States, The Secretary of the Treasury, The Secretary of State, The Attorney General. A report from Joseph Nourse, register of the Treasury, was read, stating that the dividend of...
14From Peter Legaux to John Adams, 15 May 1794 (Adams Papers)
The only and lively zeal which has animated me for these 8 years past for the welfare and prosperity of America has induced me to attempt a kind of agriculture hitherto unknown here. The encouragement which the President of the United States and some among you, Gentlemen, have been pleased to give me has undoubtedly contributed not a little to augment this zeal, and turn my labours into...
15From Chandler Fowke to John Adams, 11 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
To The President and Members of the Senate of the United States, in Congress assembled— The Petition of Chandler Dinwiddie Fowke of Charleston, South Carolina Sheweth, That during the War between America and Great Britain, General Green’s Army was stationed near the Plantation of Miss Jane Stobo and Mary Fraser her Sister, who planted together; from which they took a considerable quantity of...
At a Meeting of the Trustees for the redemption of the Public debt; at the Senate Chamber on the 9 of January 1795. Present The Vice President of the U States The Secretary of State The Secretary of the Treasury The Attorney General. The Certificate of the Register of the Treasury being read; by which it appears that the quarterly interest arising on the Stock standings on the books of the...
17From James Mathers to John Adams, 11 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
The Petition of James Mathers their doorkeeper respectfully sheweth. That in consequence of the enhanced price of House Rent and of all the necessaries of life, the maintenance of a large family has become extremely buthensome—and altho’ your Petitioner has pursued the strictest œconomy he finds his present compensation inadequate to their support—Your Petitioner therefore, though very...
18From Richard Claiborne to John Adams, 26 February 1795 (Adams Papers)
The Memorial of Rd. Claiborne Respectfully sheweth That your Memorialist—conceiving that very great honour and utility will result to these States from facilitating the introduction of Machines and Manufactories from abroad—begs leave to pray of your honorable House to pass a Law authorising the Importation of Inventions—and allowing to Original Importers a certain privilege in proportion to...
19From John Blanck to John Adams, 12 December 1795 (Adams Papers)
That your Petitioner John Blanck after much study, pains & expence hath found out & Invented a New Hydrostatic Pump, or Engine that will be found superior to any other ever before made or Invented, as it will discharge double the Quantity than any other, hitherto known, in the same given space of time, of the same Diameter & length of Stroke. Your Petitioner humbly begs leave to state the...
20From Richard Claiborne to John Adams, 29 February 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Memorial of Richard Claiborne Respectfully Sheweth That Your memorialist conceiving that very great benefit will result to the United States by encouraging the introduction of the useful arts from abroad—and perceiving, that, according to the present patent Law, inventions or discoveries, are confined to Citizens of the United States only—Your memorialist respectfully prays that Congress...
21From Catherine Greene to John Adams, 14 March 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Memorial of Catherine Green, widow of Major General Green respectfully sheweth That in the month of March 1795 Messrs: Harris and Blackford, Merchants of Great Britain, obtained a final decree of the Court of Equity in Charleston against the heirs of General Green for a sum amounting to more than seven thousand pounds sterling, as surety for the House of Hunter, Banks & Co: the same being...
22From Sc., Citizens of Georgetown to John Adams, 1 April 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Petition of the Inhabitants of Georgetown South Carolina and its vicinity Humbly sheweth That your Petitioners suffer much inconvenience for the want of a Post between this place and Charleston; until the late alteration of the Route of the Post, your Petitioners always enjoyed the benefit of a speedy and regular communication with their Fellow Citizens of Charleston, but agreeably to the...
23From William Cocke to John Adams, 21 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
Having had the honour of being legally and Constitutionally Elected to Represent the State of Tennessee, in the Senate of the United States, My Duty compels me to claim for that State, the right of being admitted into the Union with the Original States in an equal footing in all respects Whatever, and to notify you, that should any doubts remain, or subsist as to the legality, or expediency of...
24From William Blount to John Adams, 23 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honor to inform you that we are within the walls of your Chamber, ready to produce, to you papers to prove, that we have been duly and legally elected Senators to represent the State of Tennessee in your Body—and that State having a right to be represented in the Congress of the United States, on an equal footing with the original States; in all respects whatever, our Duty compels...
25From Hannibal Dobbyn to John Adams, 28 May 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Memorial of Hannibal William Dobbyn humbly sheweth That Memorialist came to America in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine; to purchase a Tract of Land in the Western Territory of the United States for a Number of respectable Families from Ireland & for himself; that your Memorialist upon his arrival presented a Petition to Congress to be permitted to buy said Lands, which...
26From John Adams to United States Senate, 16 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund Respectfully Report to Congress as follow. That the purchases of the Debt of the United States as stated in their Report of the eighteenth of December 1795, amount to Two Millions, three hundred, seven thousand, six hundred, sixty one dollars, and Seventy one cents, for which there have been paid in specie, One Million, six hundred, Eighteen thousand, Nine...
27From Thomas Wright Bacot to John Adams, 16 January 1797 (Adams Papers)
That your Petitioner was appointed Post Master in this City in January 1792, and trusts that he has performed the duties required of him, as such, with fidelity. That from the small profits of the Office, particularly for the first three years, your Petitioner has several times determined to resign his appointment, but was induced to continue the same, partly from an expectation that the...
28From John Adams to United States Senate, 9 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of the declaration made yesterday in the Chamber of the House of Representatives, of the election of a President and Vice President of the United States, the record of which has just now been read from your Journal, by your Secretary, I have judged it proper to give notice, that on the fourth of March next, at twelve O clock, I propose to attend again in the Chamber of the House...
29From John Adams to United States Senate, 10 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
In Consequence of the Declaration made yesterday in the Chamber of the H of Representatives of the Election of a President & V. P. of U.S. the Record of which has just now been read from your Journal by your Secretary I think have judged it proper to give Notice, that on the fourth of March next at twelve O Clock, I propose to attend again in the Chamber of the H. of R. in order to take the...
30From John Adams to United States Senate, 23 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
An Address so respectful and affectionate as this from Gentlemen of such Experience and established Character in public Affairs, high Stations in the Government of their Country, and great Consideration in their Several States, as the Senators of The United States, will do me great honour and afford me a firm Support, wherever it Shall be known, both at home and abroad. Their generous...
31From John Adams to United States Senate, February 1797 (Adams Papers)
If, in the general Apprehension of an intention to retire in that most eminent Citizen, to whom all Eyes had been directed and all hearts attended, as the Center of our Union for So long a period; the public opinion had exhibited any clear Indications, of another, in whom our fellow Citizens could have generally united; as Soon as I read that excellent Address which announced the Necessity of...
32From John Adams to United States Senate, 19 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Joshua Sands of New york to be Collector of the District of New york, Vice. John Lamb dismissed. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
33From John Adams to United States Senate, 20 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts, to be Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to the King of Prussia DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
34From John Adams to United States Senate, 24 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
It would be an affectation in me, to dissemble the pleasure I feel, on receiving this kind address. My long experience of the Wisdom, Fortitude, and Patriotism, of the Senate of the United States, enhances in my estimation, the Value of those obliging expressions of your approbation of my conduct, which are a generous reward for the past, and an affecting encouragement to constancy and...
35From John Adams to United States Senate, 26 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
I lay before you, for your consideration and advice, a treaty of perpetual peace and friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and subjects of Tripoli, of Barbary, concluded at Tripoli on the 4th day of November, 1796. Printed Source--A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1789-1897. 10 vols. (Washington, 1896-1899)..
36From John Adams to United States Senate, 31 May 1797 (Adams Papers)
The critical situation of the affairs of the United States in relation to the Republic of France has long engaged my attention; and after the most mature consideration, I have concluded to constitute our Extraordinary Commission to negociate with that Republic and adjust by treaty all the differences between the two nations, and all other matters which concern the se mutual interests of the...
37From John Adams to United States Senate, 15 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I by the President of the United States, to inform the Senate that he yesterday, approved & Signed, two Acts, which originated in this House, the one An Act preventing Citizens of the U. States from privateering against Nations in Amity with, or against Citizens of the United States—the other an Act prohibiting for a limited time the Exportation of Arms & Ammunition for a limited time and for...
38From John Adams to United States Senate, 20 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate the Honourable Elbridge Gerry Esqr of Massachusetts to be Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, to the French Republic jointly and Severally with Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and John Marshall; in the Place of Francis Dana, who has declined his appointment, on account of the precarious State of his Health DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
39From John Adams to United States Senate, 21 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Edward White of Georgia to be Surveyor and Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Savannah, Thomas Swepson, to be Surveyor and Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Suffolk in Virginia vice John Driver deceased. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
40From John Adams to United States Senate, 22 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
Having Sent the Report and Documents which accompany this Message, to the House of Representatives in Compliance with their desire expressed in their Resolution of the tenth of this Month, I think it proper to Send Duplicates to the Senate for their Information. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
41From John Adams to United States Senate, 24 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Robert Hamilton to be Marshall of the District of Delaware in the room of Allan McLane resigned. Sylvanus Bourne, of Massachusetts to be Consul General of the United States, in the Batavian Republic. John Beeldemaker to be Consul of the United States for Rotterdam John Baptiste Sartori to be Consul of the United States at Rome. Job Wall of Rhode Island to be Consul of the United...
42From John Adams to United States Senate, 26 June 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate George Truet to be Supervisor of the Revenue for the District of Delaware in the Place of Andrew Barrat Esqr who has resigned. James Morrison of Kentucky to be Supervisor of the Revenue for the District of Kentucky in the Place of Thomas Marshall Esqr resigned DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
43From John Adams to United States Senate, 3 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate James Simons of South Carolina to be Collector of the District of Charleston in the place of Isaac Holmes Superceeded DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
44From John Adams to United States Senate, 6 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate William Smith of Charleston South Carolina to be Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of Portugal vice John Quincy Adams removed to the Court of Berlin Thomas Bulkely to be Consul General in Portugal vice Edward Church Superseded. Richard O’brian to be Consul of the United States, to the Dey and Regency of Algiers Charles Hall of Pensilvania to be an Agent for...
45From John Adams to United States Senate, 7 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Jeremiah Smith of New Hampshire to be Attorney of the United States for that district, in the room of Edward St. Loe Livermore resigned William Willis a Native Citizen of the United States, to be their Consul for the Republic of Venice Frederick H. Wallaston of a mercantile House established at Genoa to be Consul of the United States for that Republic James Leander Cathcart a...
46From John Adams to United States Senate, 10 July 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate the following persons for promotions and appointments in the Army of the United States. Dragoons. Stephen G. Simmons Lieutenant vice Slough resigned Charles Warfield Cornet vice Ball promoted William Tharp ditto vice McDermot promoted. First Regiment of Infantry. William H. Harrison Captain vice Kingsbury promoted 15. May 1797 Nicholas Rosencrantz Lieutenant vice Harrison ditto
47From John Adams to United States Senate, 24 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Otway Bird of Virginia to be Collector of the District of Norfolk in that State, in the Place of William Lindsay deceased Ebenezer Storer of Massachusetts to be Inspector of Survey Number three in that State in the Place of Leonard Jarvis dismissed Benjamin Rush of Pensilvania to be Treasurer of the Mint of the United States in the Place of Nicholas Way deceased DNA : RG 46—Records...
48From John Adams to United States Senate, 28 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for this Address. When, after the most laborious investigation, and serious reflection, without partial considerations, or personal motives, measures have been adopted or recommended, I can receive no higher testimony of their rectitude, than the Approbation of an Assembly, so independent, patriotic and enlightened, as the Senate of the United States. Nothing has afforded me more...
49From John Adams to United States Senate, 29 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate David Leonard Barns of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to be the Attorney for the United States in that District, in the Place of the Honourable Ray Green resigned. John Read of Delaware now Resident in Philadelphia to be Agent of the United States in relation to Such Claims as may be made against them before the Commissioners appointed to carry into Effect the Sixth Article...
50From John Adams to United States Senate, 30 November 1797 (Adams Papers)
I nominate Chauncey Whittlesey to be Collector of the Customs for the District of Middletown in Connecticut, in the Place of George Phillips, Superceeded DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.